2000 C230 Front End Collapse - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackmercedes · #16 02-25-2007, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzOnline

How to prevent this?

Sell it, and don't buy another MB. I'm thinking about it.

BenzOnline · #17 02-25-2007, 03:21 AM

Haha John. Speaking of not buying another MB, I was discussing this with a friend today and really dont know if I will buy another MB. The W202 was the LAST good one made reliablity wise, you must admit.

Our W203 is a hunk-o-junk compared to the W202. A BIG decline in quality can be seen without even driving it.

blackmercedes · #18 02-25-2007, 03:33 AM

My wife joined the Subaru team when we ditched her E300, and she has been nothing but pleased with her choice. Routine service is actually more costly than the various MB's we've owned, and parts are quite expensive, but that doesn't seem to matter as it never needs parts! We ALWAYS take the Scoob when we're going somewhere together, as people don't key it, weather/roads don't matter and the cargo space means packing it is a no-brainer.

I used to put up with MB's quirkiness for the driving experience, but maybe I'm jus tired of it now...

hk20000 · #19 02-25-2007, 05:18 AM

^ are you sure you aren't more drawn to the subbie driving experience?

like..... you know? Steering wheel that's connected to the front wheels? and get everywhere ability?

Food for thought.

Will_w202 · #20 02-25-2007, 11:17 AM

Post pics. Also, where do you live? Is this a rust-belt car?

idiotlight · #21 02-25-2007, 11:52 AM

Think about these when you lay into a fast sweeper...

The car has 125K. I am in Connecticut.

idiotlight · #22 02-25-2007, 11:54 AM

I think this one shows how poor the rust proofing performed.

suginami · #23 02-25-2007, 01:33 PM

Wow. Those pictures are very discouraging. What is this world coming to when Mercedes can't even properly rust proof their cars?

Maybe I should switch to Subaru in the future, or perhaps stick with Volvo.

My wife drives a 2000 S70, and it has been remarkably trouble free at 80,000 miles of service.

I could see myself in an S80.

Tomguy · #24 02-25-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

Wow. Those pictures are very discouraging. What is this world coming to when Mercedes can't even properly rust proof their cars?

Maybe I should switch to Subaru in the future

...
You just named the rustiest car brand I've ever seen. Any Subaru I see that is >8 years old ALWAYS has rust SOMEWHERE. The newer models SEEM better (at least for visible rust) but when I think of "Rusty cars", Subaru will always be the first thing that pops into my mind.

Ron Young · #25 02-25-2007, 01:45 PM

If ANYONE has had this problem it is very important that you contact the NHTSA (I think that's the name, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, or something very similar) The more reports the better a chance of a forced recall.
Thanks,
Ron

Matt L · #26 02-25-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hk20000

sounds like stiffer springs will accelerate its demise.....??

I doubt it. The weight on the spring perch is directly related to the weight on the tire and to nothing else, including spring rate.

Stiffer springs may give you a bit more force on a tire when in a hard corner, but at no other time. Worry about other things.

hk20000 · #27 02-25-2007, 04:02 PM

looks like all the rust started on the inside of the sealant too.... That means visual inspection probably doesn't do you any good....

blackmercedes · #28 02-25-2007, 04:15 PM

Well, we haven't owned any old Subarus, but at comong on seven years, our Forester has no rust, and I've never heard of any post 1990 (or earlier?) Subaru suffering catastrophic suspension failure in the way that these cars suffer spring perch failures.

Driving a Subaru (or most other brands, for that matter) is nothing like a Mercedes. I am willing to invest time, energy and money into maintenance, repairs and all kinds of things for my cars, but when critical suspension mounting points rot away creating a potential life-threatening hazard, I'm thinking I've had enough.

"Engineered like no other." I'm beginning to wonder if that is a good thing...

hk20000 · #29 02-25-2007, 04:32 PM

those rusty Subarus he's been seeing must have been ice racers.

Or "that emergency vehicle I use when the snow gets a bit hairy outside and they salted the road like no tomorrow"

I have never seen a rusty Subaru after 1992 (GC8 chassis), period. I live in Canada I know what it's like to drive your car through piles of .... SALT. but Subaru retains its great resale value here coz they just don't break down or rust or anything. Real sturdy cars these are.

BenzOnline · #30 02-25-2007, 08:39 PM

I dont think we should worry about it. I mean the W210 made it to Dateline News with how bad the spring perches were. My friends abused salt driven W202 never had this fail eitheir. As for mine it seen its first winter this year and thus, was rustproofed all the time.